Ten years on and the full final report on this incident at FNC has now been issued by the Portuguese authorities. Included is this, confirming a direct hit, by a bird, on forward cargo door handle recess, seemingly causing the door to open as the aircraft departed.
''Examination of the forward cargo door revealed pronounced blood smear on the surface skin just aft of the handle flap. There was also evidence of blood inside the handle recess, within the door structure (Figure 4). There was no visible damage to the door and no luggage items had ejected the cargo hold (Figure 4)...'
GPIAAF – Unidade de Aviação Civil